Italian Pastina Soup (Comforting Italian Penicillin)

5

Pastina Soup is a classic Italian comfort food made with tiny pasta stars (pastina), flavorful broth, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Often called “Italian penicillin,” it’s a warm, soothing dish loved for generations—especially when someone needs a simple, cozy meal.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup pastina (tiny pasta such as stelline)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg (optional, for extra richness)
• Salt, to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the broth.
   • Bring chicken broth to a gentle boil in a saucepan.
2. Cook the pastina.
   • Add the pastina and cook according to package directions, usually 5–7 minutes, until tender.
3. Add richness.
   • Stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
4. Optional egg method (classic style).
   • Beat the egg in a small bowl.
   • Slowly drizzle it into the hot soup while stirring constantly to create delicate egg ribbons.
5. Season and serve.
   • Add salt and pepper to taste.
   • Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Optional Add-Ins

• 🥕 Finely grated carrot or zucchini
• 🍗 Shredded cooked chicken
• 🧄 A little minced garlic sautéed in butter
• 🥬 Baby spinach
• 🍋 A squeeze of lemon juice
• 🧀 Extra Pecorino Romano cheese

Creamy Pastina Version

For a richer bowl:

• Reduce broth to 3 cups.
• Stir in ¼ cup milk or cream.
• Add extra Parmesan and butter until silky.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat: Warm gently with extra broth, as the tiny pasta absorbs liquid and thickens over time.

Serving Suggestions

• Crusty Italian bread
• Garlic toast
• A simple salad
• Roasted vegetables

This humble soup is simple but deeply comforting—warm broth, tender pasta, buttery richness, and Parmesan flavor in every spoonful. 🍲🇮🇹